I often find it hard to express my feelings about Dr. King. Without a doubt, he is one of the most influential people in United States history, and one of the most moving speakers ever.
But at the same time, Dr. King dismissed anyone who didn’t seek justice in the name of God. It’s the biggest trait I grapple with.
His Non-Violent Direct Action program consisted of four steps: meticulous documentation of an injustice; honest negotiation with the oppressive group, believing that they have the capacity to change; rigorous self-purification from all sins; and finally direct action in the form of protest marches, sit-ins and various other acts of civil obedience. Dr. King held that the third step, that of self-purification, was the most difficult step. He didn’t allow everyone to pass onto direct action; those that couldn’t were still able to volunteer behind typewriters or a phone. Those that could demonstrated that they purged themselves of hateful feelings. During mock marches, actors pushed their buttons, verbally and physically. They spewed the same racist epithets used at the worst assemblies. The volunteers who passed the test could be hit and not hit back. What’s more, they could watch their brothers and sisters be beaten and still refrain from retaliation. (Dr. King took a lot of heat for this practical consequence of his non-violent philosophy, especially when it involved young people, like college students. Much like he took heat for allowing children to be caught in hateful and violent acts so that he could expose it through the media.)
Every volunteer that associated himself/herself with Dr. King was required to sign a pledge card, which outlined the following ten “commandments”:
- Meditate daily on the teachings and life of Jesus.
- Remember always that the non-violent movement in Birmingham seeks justice and reconciliation - not victory.
- Walk and talk in the manner of love, for God is love.
- Pray daily to be used by God in order that all men might be free.
- Sacrifice personal wishes in order that all men might be free.
- Observe with both friend and foe the ordinary rules of courtesy.
- Seek to perform regular service for others and for the world.
- Refrain from the violence of fist, tongue or heart.
- Strive to be in good spiritual and bodily health.
- Follow the directions of the movement and of the captain on a demonstration
As an atheist, I believe spirituality is important. As an open-minded person, belief in the Christian God does not factor into any judgment of a person. But in three of his ten “commandments” volunteers are required to acknowledge God and/or Jesus. In political theory he is categorized as a liberation theologist and a moralist. He did amazing, impossible things, and brought thousands of people together for a cause, but time and time again, he shut down the notion that atheists, or God-less people could facilitate change. Or at least, he rejected the notion that they could facilitate the right kind of change.
It was so fundamental in his teachings. And I struggle to place myself in a position where I would be doing the right thing in his eyes.
Just as Dr. King stored Gandhi’s teachings separately from his racist ideals, I suppose I should compartmentalize similarly. He said and did great things, but I don’t believe any one person has to fit certain criteria to be an agent of justice.
That said, the goodness of his legacy is still relevant, more so than most people realize. The year 2000 was the first year that all 50 states celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Rates of Black men in prison are 6.5x higher than white men. Right now, equivalents to Arizona’s Senate Bill 1070 are being prepped for state legislative sessions in several states. Nearly every racial minority suffers disproportionate health disparities. Problems exist not just within the realm of racial justice. The LGBT community needs as much love and support as we can spare. The ever growing population that lives below the poverty line needs love and compassion.
I get frustrated. A lot. And often I get tired. Of politics, of in-fighting, of careless, bigoted remarks in the media. In those times, this quote brings me some comfort:
”Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
